Symptoms

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is most often based on your symptoms. Generally, tests are not needed to make a diagnosis unless another condition is suspected, such as
pneumonia
.

Treatment

A cold usually lasts 10 days or longer. There are no cures for a cold, but treatments can ease symptoms. These include:

Home Care

To make you more comfortable:

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Warm beverages like tea and chicken soup are soothing. They may also help decrease congestion.

Use a humidifier. A cool-mist humidifier will keep your nasal passages moist. Humidifiers may also loosen congestion. Be sure to clean the humidifier every day.

Try nasal flushing with a neti-pot or saline spray. This can help loosen mucus.

Gargle with warm salt water. It can help soothe a sore throat.

Over-the-Counter Medications

To relieve aches, pains, and fever consider non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Prescription antiviral medication is usually not necessary.

Note:
Aspirin is not recommended for children with a current or recent viral infection. Check with your doctor before giving your child aspirin.

Cough and cold remedies include:

Decongestants

Expectorants

Antihistamines

Antitussives

Throat lozenges

Mentholated vapor rubs

Note:
Cough and cold medications should not be used in children under 2 years old, and they are not recommended in children under 4 years old. The US Food and Drug Administration has not completed its review regarding the safety of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children ages 2-11 years. Rare, but serious side effects have been reported.

Decongestant pills or nasal sprays can shrink nasal passages. They also decrease mucus production. Nasal sprays should only be used for 2-3 days. Longer use can lead to increased congestion when you stop using the product.

Alternative Treatments

Many people use alternative treatments to relieve their cold symptoms. Some of the more popular choices include:

Vitamin C
—Taking extra vitamin C at the start of a cold has not been shown to be of any benefit. Some believe that taking vitamin C throughout the cold season may help reduce symptoms or shorten how long the cold lasts.

Zinc
lozenges—Taking zinc lozenges at the start of a cold may help shorten the length of the cold.

Echinacea
—Echinacea might help people to recover faster from a cold. But, there is little evidence that it can prevent colds if taken in advance.

Honey
—While honey has not been shown to affect the severity or length of a common cold, it may improve nighttime cough and sleep disruption in children. Do not give honey to infants younger than 12 months because of the risk of
infant botulism.

Note:
Some supplements and herbal treatments may not be pure. Many can also interact with prescription medications and over-the-counter products. Talk to your doctor before using any of these products.

Prevention

The most important way to keep from getting or spreading a cold is by washing your hands. Wash your hands well and often. Other ways to keep from getting a cold:

Keep your hands away from your nose, mouth, and eyes.

Stay away from people who have a cold.

If you smoke,
talk to your doctor about ways to quit
or cut down on smoking.

Ask your doctor if taking certain supplements may be right for you.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Common colds: Protect yourself and others. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website. Available at:
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/commoncold/pages/default.aspx.
Accessed September 15, 2014.

1/30/2008 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T903639/Upper-respiratory-infection-URI-in-children: Public health advisory:
Nonprescription cough and cold medicine use in children—FDA recommends that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products not be used for infants and children under 2 years of age. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm051137.htm. Updated August 19, 2013. Accessed September 15, 2014.